How to completely disable TalkBack on your Xiaomi TV: 3 proven ways

TalkBack on Xiaomi TVs is designed for people with low vision — it voices all the actions on the screen, from clicking buttons to selecting menu items. However, many users turn it on accidentally (for example, holding the wrong combination on the remote) or face automatic activation after updating the firmware.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to disable TalkBack on Xiaomi Mi TV, Redmi Smart TV and other models, from the standard path through settings to forced reset, and pay special attention to the nuances for different versions of MIUI TV (including MIUI TV 3.0 and later), as well as solutions for cases when the screen does not respond to commands or the remote is lost.

If you come here because of a suddenly "talking" TV, do not panic. 95% of the time, the problem is solved in 2-3 minutes without losing data, the main thing is to follow the instructions exactly in steps, so as not to aggravate the situation (for example, an accidental reset to the factory settings).

Why does TalkBack turn on on its own?

Most users experience an unexpected activation of TalkBack for three reasons:

• 🎮 Accidental pressing of the button combination on the remote (for example, holding Menu) + OK 3 seconds on some models).
• 🔄 Automatic software update, after which special features settings are reset (especially relevant for the use of the software) MIUI TV 4.0+).
• 👶 Children or pets who pressed the screen or remote while the TV was on standby.

Less often, hardware failures, such as sticking a button on the remote or damaging the touchpad (on Air Mouse models), can be blamed, such as a reset or connection of an alternative remote control, if you turn off the function through the standard menu.

Method 1: Disable TalkBack through the standard menu

It is the easiest and safest method that works on all Xiaomi models (including Mi). TV 4S, Redmi Smart TV X, Mi TV Q1/Q2 The main condition is that you must have a working remote (or a connected mouse / keyboard through the computer). USB/Bluetooth).

Instructions:

1. Press the Menu (or Settings) button on the remote to open the main menu.
2. Using the buttons ↑/↓/←/→ go to the Settings section (or Settings on English firmware).
3. Select the option “Accessibility” (or “Accessibility”).
4. Find the TalkBack option and click OK.
5. Transfer the slider to the off position (or uncheck if the interface is different).
6. Confirm the action by selecting OK or Stop in the window that appears.

If the function continues to work after these actions, try to restart the TV (Power button on the remote is held for 5-7 seconds). On models with MIUI TV 5.0+, additional confirmation may be required through the Parental Control Password (by default - 0000 or 1234).

Method 2: Using voice commands (for MIUI TV 4.0 and later)

On Xiaomi TVs with voice assistant support (e.g. Mi TV P1, Redmi MAX 98), you can turn off TalkBack without navigating the menu, which is useful if the screen does not respond to the remote or touch gestures.

Algorithm of action:

1. Activate the voice assistant by saying, “OK, Google,” or by pressing the microphone button on the remote.
2. Say the command: “Switch off TalkBack” or “Switch off the voice screen.”
3. Confirm the action with a voice or OK button on the remote.

If the voice assistant does not respond:

• 🔊 Check if the microphone is on in the settings (Settings) → The device → Microphone).
• 🌐 Make sure your TV is connected to the internet (voice commands require cloud processing).
• 🔄 Reboot the TV and try again.

Important! On some firmware, voice commands for TalkBack can be blocked by default, in which case only manually shutting down via menu or reset will help.

Method 3: Resetting to factory settings (if nothing helps)

If TalkBack doesn't turn off via menus or voice commands, and the remote doesn't respond to clicks, the last option is hard reset, which will remove all user settings, including installed apps and accounts, so use it only as a last resort.

Instructions for discharge:

1. Turn off the TV with the Power button on the remote or on the device itself.
2. Press and hold the button combination: For most models: Menu + Up (↑) You can use the remote for 10 to 15 seconds. TV Stick or Mi Box: Reset button on the device body (you need a paper clip).

Xiaomi

↑/↓

Wipe data/factory reset

TalkBack

Attention! On models with MIUI TV 6.0+, you may need to re-assign your Mi Account to unlock certain features (e.g., installing apps) after a reset.

Table: Button combinations for different Xiaomi models

If the standard combination of Menu + ↑ It doesn't work, try the options in the table below. They depend on the firmware version and the type of remote.

If your model isn’t in the table, try the one-size-fits-all method: disconnect the TV from the network for 1 minute, then turn on and hold Menu + OK right away for 15 seconds.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you turn off TalkBack, users often make mistakes that make it more difficult, and here are the most common ones:

• 🔋 Discharged remote: Check batteries or connect the remote to charging before starting (on models with Bluetooth remotes).
• 🔌 Shutdown: Do not pull the power cord during reset – this can damage the firmware.
• 📱 Using a smartphone as a remote: Apps like Mi Remote don’t support navigation in the Accessibility menu.
• 🔄 Incomplete reset: If you choose Wipe cache over Factory reset, TalkBack settings will remain.

⚠️ Attention, on Android TVs. TV 11+ (Like Mi. TV P1 2023) after reset, you may need to re-authorize to Google Play Services. Without this, some applications (for example, YouTube or Netflix) will not work.

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If the sound is gone after TalkBack is turned off, check the audio settings in Settings → Sound → Output device. It may have reset the audio output to HDMI ARC or Bluetooth.

Alternative ways to control the TV

If the remote is lost or broken, and TalkBack interferes with the use of TV, you can use alternative methods:

• 🖱️ USB-Mouse or keyboard: Connect to the port USB The mouse will be visible on the screen, and the keyboard will allow navigation on the menu.
• 📱 Mi Home app: In some cases, you can send a command to restart the TV (Devices section) → Your TV. → Settings).
• 🎮 Gaming controller: Connect a Bluetooth gamepad (e.g. from Xiaomi Game Controller) and use it to navigate.

To connect the mouse/keyboard:

1. Insert the device into USB-television-port.
2. Wait for the cursor to appear (usually takes 5-10 seconds).
3. Go to Settings → Special Options and turn off TalkBack.

⚠️ Attention, models with MIUI TV 7.0+ plug-in USB-Devices may need to be unlocked in the Security menu → Unknown sources.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

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If none of these methods worked, the problem may be a hardware failure (such as damage to the buttons on the remote or motherboard), in which case, contact the authorized Xiaomi service center.